Trailer Problems

[jt1970m]

Towing a small 5 x 8 trailer the other day and it started swaying back and forth on the highway? What causes this is it uneven load or hitch not level??

 

[Rick]

Most likey not enough tongue weight. You should have 10% of the total trailer weight on the tongue.

 

[taxx]

How bad was it swaying? Show wheel bases tend to be harder to pull.

 

[LStoudenmire]

It has been my experience in the past, that the swaying is caused by travelling faster than the trailers speed capacity.

 

[Fischer]

I concur with Rick.

Tounge weight, yea, definately tounge weight.

 

[Robert]

Definately too little tongue weight. It shouldn't sway regardless of how fast you pull it (to within reason). I pulled my 5x8 enclosed trailer from Ohio to Arizona with my '97 Sport at speeds up to 85 MPH with no hint of sway. I have also got the tongue weight a little light and got severe swaying at 45 MPH. Put more weight towards the front.

 

[james t]

i agree. more than likely tongue weight. also, check air in trailer tires. i had a small ute. trailer sway bad on me once, unloaded, and it had a low tire.